About Me

A Canadian-born Arsenal FC gal of Malay-Singaporean descent. In love with prog rock music (can't go wrong with MUSE and Radiohead), and anything that makes me laugh... because crying's not fun. A fan of Canadian comics (Jay Malone and Ivan Decker), and the great Canadian past-time of curling! I'm also a fan of good ol' Irish comics Dylan Moran, David O'Doherty and Ed Byrne; and British Comics Chris Addison, David Mitchell, Jack Whitehall and Russel Howard. I enjoy cooking and baking, it helps relieve everyday stress. Doctor Who is probably the best TV series since the 1960s, and Never Mind the Buzzcocks rock my socks! On a rainy day, I waste a good chunk of time reading Marvel comics or banging 'round random instruments (my melodica, Yamaha PSS140, guitar, piano... anything that makes noise). I'm such a kid ^_^

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Thursday, December 11, 2008

Finally, my week of crazy studying (more like awful procrastination) is over!! My finals are all complete and all I have to dread now is the marks I'll be getting back. Oh well, at least I can look forward to Christmas :)

During my attempts to study for Psych Nursing, Nutrition and Statistics I kind of got side-tracked more than once...

The first time I became distracted was one crazy Wednesday afternoon. I was enjoying a healthy lunch and watching Martha Stewart Living, when she decided to tempt me and my very weak will power by making these lovely Coconuty Dream Bars. They were very simple, only taking about 10mins to make and (when using my toaster oven) only 7mins to bake!! Although the prep and baking was quick, I ended up spending a lovely long time snacking on them and sipping tea... when I should have been studying. Oh Martha...

The second time I became distracted from my studies was entirely my fault. I shouldn't have been blog-browsing... but you know, checking my hotmail lead to checking my facebook, which lead to checking my blog, which lead to checking all of the blogs on my "links" list... and from there the cycle just spirals out of control. Anywho, I was reading Baking Bites and came across this amazing Cherry Cornmeal Cobbler recipe. And so I decided to make it; but, I varied it by using my Europe's Best Grapes instead of cherries, and baking them in individual ramekins.

Ooey Gooey and Delicious!

And the final time I was distracted from my studies was completely, and utterly the fault of my crazy imagination. I was sitting down trying to read over my Nutrition textbook, when something I read about fruits and fiber triggered my mind to begin thinking about fruit jams... and then for some reason I began thinking about baking fruit/jam oat-bars. So to end off my blog post, I present you with my own recipe of Blueberry+Mixed Berry Crumble Bars with White Chocolate...

Not entirely nutritious, but very gooey, sweet and delicious!

Blueberry, Mixed Berry Crumble Bars with White Chocolate

Ingredients:

-1 1/2 cups plain flour

-1 1/2 cups rolled oats

- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

-1/2 tsp baking soda

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 3/4 cup butter, chilled and cubed

- 1 tsp vanilla extract

- 1 egg

- 1/4 cup each: blueberry jam and mixed berry jam (mix them together)

- 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips or white chocolate candy melts

Method:

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.

2. Use a pastry cutter to mix in the butter; continue blending together until butter pieces are the size of peas and mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add in the oatmeal and mix until well combined.

3. Lightly beat the egg and vanilla together. Add the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and quickly stir until all of the mixture gains some moisture.

4. Remove 1/2 cup of the mixture and set aside. Pour the rest of the bar dough into a greased and floured 9x9 square cake pan. Pat down the mixture until well compressed. Refrigerate for 15-20minutes; during this time, preheat the oven to 350F.

5. Once chilled, spread the "crust" evenly with the jam mixture. Now sprinkle the white chocolate chips evenly over the jam layer.

6. Take your 1/2 cup of reserved "crust" crumble and sprinkle this on top of your bars. Bake for 25minutes, let cool and then slice into squares.

Wow! I'm sorry for not having had time to post my recent baking adventures until now. Somehow baking the dishes is much quicker than having to sit down and try to recall exactly how you made them (plus, my computer is crazy slow for some reason... maybe all of my baking pictures are taking up to much disk-space??) Well, it's time for me to celebrate my freedom from exams and of course... CHRISTMAS ^_^

I know what you mean about the distractions. Isn't it funny how checking email can lead to baking. I'm thinking about baking so much that sometimes I don't need to internet to distract me. I hope you did well on your exams.. 1 more for me and then Im done..finally. Seriously, the exam period ends so late they may as well have us write exams on Christmas.